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The complexity of an Indian Hindu marriage is owing to the fact that there are many rituals performed according to Vedic practices and hymns. Kanyadaana is also such a ritual, which apart from being vital to the ceremony, tugs at the emotional cord of the bride's parents. This is the moment when their beloved daughter finally belongs to her husband. Kanyadaana is performed on the main day function of the wedding.
It is performed by the Father of the bride, where in he entrusts his daughter to the groom. In the absence of the father, Kanyadaana is performed by an elderly relative or member of the family. As per the practice, the father of the bride places the right hand of the bride over the right hand of the groom.Sri Lakshmi Narayana idol is kept along with a coconut on top of the bride & groom's palm.Then the father of the bride pours out a libation of sacred water symbolizing the giving away of the daughter to the bride groom.As a condition for offering his daughter for marriage, the father of the bride requests a promise from the groom for assisting the bride in realizing the three ends : Dharma, Artha, and Kama. The groom makes the promise by repeating three times that he will not fail the bride in realizing Dharma, Artha and Kama. After this, the priest recites Vedic hymns.
This way the father gives her daughter as a gift to the groom. As per tradition, groom is considered a form of Lord Vishnu. Thus, presenting him gifts is deemed as the greatest honour for the parents of the bride. As a result, they offer their daughter to the groom, who is their most cherished gift. As a symbol of acceptance, the groom touches the right shoulder of the bride, promising to take care of her and holding her responsibility.
